The Scene - Local Entertainment News

The best things in life are free

Two of Australia's most popular hip hop groups - Resin Dogs (pictured) and 1200 Techniques - will perform live in Ballina next Monday, February 16, as part of the free Channel [V] Billabong Bus Detour.

The Channel [V] Billabong Bus is a double decker luxury touring coach and roadshow that travels to towns along the east coast, where the crew then set up a mini music festival and broadcast it live on national television.

The event is all ages and features a giant screen, mobile stage, a variety of live bands and DJs, plus the talents of pro-skaters such as Jon Lorcan, Russell Grundy and John Dickenson, who will all be showing off some tricks at the Ballina show.

Presented by former Australian Idol host James Mathison, the Detour event will also feature a special screening of Billabong's new surf flick Stepping Stones and never before seen skate footage. As mentioned in last week's paper one person will also be chosen to sing the closing song of the show with 1200 Techniques live on stage.

Normally you'd have to pay a hefty price to see this sort of entertainment, so make the most of the fact it's completely free and ensure Ballina makes an impact on national TV.

The Channel [V] Billabong Bus Detour will kick off at Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre from 4pm.

Picture this

One of Australia's hottest new trios, The Pictures, are playing at the Great Northern next Wednesday, February18, as part of their Ground Control tour.

The trio is led by guitarist/singer/songwriter Dave Laney (the lead guitarist with You Am I) with Brett Wolfenden on drums and Luke Thomas (ex Lavish) on bass.

Music magazines across the country have touted them as 'the next big thing' and this is the only opportunity to catch them live before they head for the UK. The gig starts at 9pm and tickets are available at the door.

Freebie: The Echo has a copy of The Pictures debut EP to giveaway. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am on Monday, February 16, and finish this line from the David Bowie hit song 'this is Ground Control to......'

Morph into something new

Melbourne-based live electronica band Morph (pictured) will be performing their funky rhythms at a number of gigs around the north coast this week.

The band was established by former Lismore resident Aaron McDermott and ex SCU student Linden Lester, who gained much of their inspiration from locals such as Greg Sheehan.

Using flute, saxophone, trumpet, synthesisers, samples, rhodes, drums, bass, percussion and didgeridoo, this six-piece groove ensemble play a solid dance mix of trance, drum and bass, funky house beats and jazz.

They are now touring to promote their latest album Psycoustic and have roped in a number of locally based dance bands to put on some great live shows.

You can check Morph out solo this Saturday, February 14, at The Rails in Byron Bay from 7pm or next Thursday, February 19, at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore with El Gonzo Green from 9pm. They also play next Friday, February 20, at Coorabell Hall with dance sensation Wild Marmalade and their final gig is on Saturday, February 21, at the Great Northern in Byron Bay.

Think again...

Local band Mishful Thinking (pictured) will headline a free concert with fellow musicians Meridian, Tara Luca and Natalie Gaye at the Winsome Hotel next Wednesday, February 18.

Led by mish on vocals and trumpet, Mishful Thinking also includes the talents of Toby Davies on guitar and vocals, Tom Jones on bass and Ryan Berg on drums and percussion.

Young and dynamic, Mishful Thinking produce original, refreshing songs that blend blues, funk, rock, reggae, rap and world music. The Winsome always put on good live local acts and Mishful Thinking is no exception.

The gig kicks off at 8pm.

Seventh heaven

Leah Stewart's paper installation is one of seven shows being exhibited at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery.

The Lismore Regional Art Gallery is celebrating its historic 50th anniversary in February with seven new exhibitions that explore diverse themes such as portraiture, memory and technology.

Byron Bay photographer, Marc Gerritsen, is presenting a show entitled Transported that features a series of large photographic portraits while North Lismore artist, Edwin Hamilton, has produced a remarkable array of miniature sculptures for his show Combinations using unusual materials such as porcelain fuses, electrical wire, circuitry, paving stones, timber and photographs.

Director of Out of Town Graphics, Carleen Imlach, and her partner, Mike King, are presenting Memory and Memento, the third exhibition in the Loungeroom Landscape series. This exhibition features a unique array of fascinating pieces, including a table made from recycled Thai bullock carts.

"Everyone collects souvenirs or mementos as they experience events or special places," Carleen said. "Living with these mementos reconnects us with that moment and fires our memory, and hopefully enriches our lives."

Southern Cross University PhD student, Leah Stewart, has filled one gallery with 929 small pieces of stamped paper. Titled 'paper memories - 929 days', the installation looks at the struggle between remembering and forgetting.

"As an artist I deal with silence and the notion of disappearing and fragile memorials," Leah said. "Memorials to transience, death and change... The work is a minimalist memorial to our obsession with counting - counting the hours, minutes, days, years of our lives."

Lismore artist, Roberta Bassi, has created a work using collaged paintings titled Intermezzo (which can be viewed 24 hours a day in the OuterSpace window on Molesworth Street) while fellow Lismore artist Cornelius Delaney has a selection of works exhibited along the walls of the Gallery staircase that examine the 'nonsense and noise' of contemporary culture.

Completing the seven shows is a collection of prominent artworks from the Lismore Regional Gallery Permanent Collection that local writer Rebecca Rushbrook has presented in conjunction with an essay.

"I was invited to write an essay that charts some important moments in the Gallery's history," Rebecca said. "As I sifted through old interviews, articles and documents, they revealed the story of a community's passionate dedication to its Gallery."

The seven exhibitions are all on show until March 27.

Live Poets! return in 2004

The Live Poets! first show for 2004, featuring two distinguished writers from the local region, will be held next Wednesday, February 18, at the Rous Hotel.

The first of the two feature writers is Edwin Wilson, who was born in Lismore in 1942, and has published 19 books (including nine poetry collections) as well as a fascinating account of his childhood The Mullumbimby Kid. Edwin now lives in Sydney.

The second feature is Norma Balzer from Dunoon, who is well known in poetry circles around the Northern Rivers. From her teenage years as the sole teacher at Larnook during WWII she has written extensively about life in the area. In 2002 Norma published Once Upon a Farm.

As always there will be open and invited readings, and new and visiting poets are always welcome.

The Live Poets! first show for the year begins at 8pm and entry is $6/4.

Freebie: The Echo has two double passes to giveaway to the Live Poets!. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.15am on Monday, February 16.

What a good idea

The Idea of North perform in a special summer concert presented by Musica Viva next Friday in Ballina.

Musica Viva will present a special summer concert featuring Sydney ensemble The Idea of North next Friday, February 20, in the beautiful setting of St Mary's Anglican Church in Ballina.

The Idea of North are regarded as one of the most unique live musical acts in Australia, with their superior style of a cappella pushing the boundaries beyond the standard cabaret, jazz, big band and pop acts.

Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano), Naomi Crellin (alto), Nick Begbie (tenor) and Andrew Piper (bass) have dazzled audiences across the globe, often receiving standing ovations and significant praise from their peers. They are the first non-American group to ever win the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Competition (the premier American competition for vocal harmony music) and recently James Morrison said, "When you can sing and entertain like The Idea of North a band would just get in the way!"

St Mary's Anglican Church is the perfect venue for this stunning vocal ensemble, which appeals to both young and old audiences with their mix of contemporary and traditional compositions.

This special presentation of The Idea of North is a pre-season concert to give people a taste of what's to come in the 2004 Musica Viva Subscription Series, which begins in March.

The concert starts at 7.30pm, however, details of the upcoming Subscription Series will be available before the concert from 7pm and subscriptions can be purchased on the night. For concert tickets and bookings visit Dymocks on Molesworth Street, Lismore (phone 6622 4987) or the ABC Shop in Ballina.

Tongue tied

A scene from Fourth Wall Theatre's production Speaking in Tongues, which opens at the Byron bay Community Centre next Thursday.

Fourth Wall Theatre presents Andrew Bovell's AWGIE award winning play, Speaking in Tongues, for a two-week season at the Byron Bay Community Centre starting next Thursday, February 19.

First performed in Sydney in 1996, and since then in London and New York, Speaking in Tongues is the play on which the award-winning Australian film Lantana is based.

Despite that the stage play is a different experience. Split scenes and simultaneous dialogue give the theatre audience the opportunity to experience the lives of four characters at once, and its style is something new for the actors too. "It's a real joy for an actor because it is so intelligently written and while the dialogue appears simplistic it reveals deep layers of subtext," says Russell Eldridge, who plays the character Leon.

What begins as a satire about sex, desire and marital infidelity develops into a thriller/murder mystery, telling a compelling story of human relationships and fallibility.

With its talented cast of actors under the direction of Susan Melhuish this will no doubt be an absorbing and entertaining production of the highest calibre.

Tickets are $22/$18 and can be bought at Icon Books in Byron Bay, Friday Hut Refreshments in Bangalow, The Bookshop in Mullum and Simpatico Gift Shop in Ocean Shores or you can book on 0407 573 386.

A special preview price of $15 for the Thursday, February 19 show is also available, so be sure to book early.

Flying high

Perth quartet Little Birdy (pictured) - dubbed by Rolling Stone as one of the 'Top ten bands to watch in 2004' - will be performing next Thursday, February 19, at the Great Northern in Byron Bay.

Last year their debut EP spent 10 weeks atop the indie charts and two of their songs, Relapse and Baby Blue, have been regularly played by Triple J. This is the band's first tour of headline gigs since they appeared at Livid and Homebake festivals in 2003, and they will certainly been keen to make an impact with audiences.

The gig kicks off at 9pm. Tickets at the door.

Discover the joy of music

The winner of the 2003 Lismore Eisteddfod piano competition, Cassandra Snart (pictured), has joined the teaching staff at Lismore's Advanced Music Studios.

Cassandra loves all musical styles from modern to classical and is excited to be joining her mentor, Sylvia Lyte, to offer home and studio-based lessons in piano, harp and music composition.

Sylvia says making the learning experience fun is a key to successful teaching.

"Competition and rivalry that create nervous tension and strain, especially for children, need not be part of learning," Sylvia said. "I want people to enjoy learning and appreciate the joy of music. Our teaching approach is highly individualised, working with the particular needs of each student, but still based in the fundamentals. A strong technical basis gives students assurance and poise so they can be creative and get a thrill out of performance."

Cassandra said the atmosphere at the studio was calm and friendly, allowing students to relax and build their skills. Cassandra and Sylvia have planned a special program for three to six-year-olds called 'Music for Little Mozarts' that will be available this Autumn.

The studio is located in the Lismore CBD allowing easy drop off and pick up of children after school.

For more information phone Advanced Music Studios on 6621 2149.

For the love of it

The Dangerously Poetic Monthly Reading will feature romance and passion on Valentine's Day (Saturday, February 14) at its new venue, the Bangalow RSL Hall, from 3-5pm.

This month will see James Coates, Kathryn Riding, Larry Buttrose and Laura Shore performing their favourite great love poems of all time.

DP invites people to bring along their favourite love poem to serenade their Valentine at the open reading. Refreshments will be available and a $4 donation is appreciated.

More raw comedy

The next Raw Comedy heat will be held on Monday, February 16, as part of Mandy Nolan's Comedy Club at the Byron Bay Bowling Club (register at www.comedyfestival.com.au).

The competition is designed to unearth the best rising comic talents in the country and the first prize is a trip to the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Presented by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Triple J, Raw Comedy has launched the careers of comics such as Adam Spencer and Rove's Peter Helliar since it began eight years ago.

The night starts at 8pm and tickets are $15/10. For info and bookings phone 6685 4045.

You got the write stuff

The Northern Rivers Writers Centre will hold a special Literary Lunch on Wednesday, February 25, to celebrate the publication of Inez Baranay's seventh book, Neem Dreams.

Set in Southern India in 1995, the book follows four characters, whose lives are all linked through neem - India's 'miracle tree'. Inez wrote the book after many sojourns into India and as well as being an absorbing story it also takes a deeper look at issues such as globalisation and development that are now affecting the country. Neem Dreams was published in India to critical acclaim and her next book on yoga and writing, out later this year, will also be released there.

"I love India," says Inez, "and the response to the book there was beyond my wildest dreams."

Other books by Inez include Pagan, The Edge of Bali and Rascal Rain.

This special Literary Lunch will be held at the Bangalow Hotel, where Inez will speak of her many travels to India and her creation of the book. Tickets are $45 including a signed copy of the book or $32 for lunch only. Places are limited and bookings are essential on 6687 1711.

The lunch starts at 12pm.

Psychic connection

Luke Patrick will present his new touring show From The Other Side on Saturday, February 28, at the Goonellabah RSL Sports Club from 7.30pm.

Using his psychic abilities Luke can help guide people in matters regarding relationships, careers, health, personal events or life events from the past, present and future.

During the show people will see Luke receiving messages from guides, angels and others who have passed to the other side, which he then imparts on the audiences.

Similar to a John Edwards show, the two-hour event includes an introduction, a question and answer session and a motivational talk. Tickets are $22 from the club.

NORPA Season Launch

Star Court Theatre

Thursday Feb 19 @ 6pm

NORPA's 2004 season launch will be held at the Star Court Theatre on Thursday February 19.

This year NORPA is proud to present an exciting season including music, physical theatre, outdoor events, family shows and NORPA's world premiere production of The Flood.

Special guests at the launch will include Rachel Healy from Company B Belvoir and Antony Ernst from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The launch will be followed by drinks and light supper. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Prepare To Get Wet

NORPA's production The Flood is a large scale, outdoor music-theatre piece that uniquely reflects the phenomenon that is such an important part of the culture of our region. Premiering in April, The Flood is an outdoor spectacular... live music, original songs, massed drums, choirs, broadcasts of weather reports and river heights, personal histories of the '74 flood, a frogs' chorus, the SES, Noah's ark (of course), outboards on the river, a prophet called Zeph who claims to have been at the first flood with Noah, and a man playing a piano in a tank as it fills with water.

This free multimedia event will start in Magellan Street, flowing through the laneways of Lismore, down the riverbank and under the levee wall.

You can contribute to this special community event. NORPA is keen to collect old photos, memorabilia and stories about Lismore's major floods. Valuable items loaned to NORPA will be catalogued and returned to their owners safely. Damaged goods that needn't be returned are also sought to be used in a street installation during the production. These items may include old photographs of any subject matter, clothing, shoes, books and children's toys particularly bath toys and toy boats, as well as old televisions, clocks, record and suitcases.

To contribute to this mammoth community production, contact Peter Emerton on 6622 0300.

• The Flood has been developed through the NORPA Creative Laboratory and is sponsored by the NSW Ministry for the Arts and supported by Broken Head Coastal Foundation and Thursday Plantation.